“Snow Route” Parking Ban Begins December 1 – Stay Informed

Dec 1, 2016

KEEPING YOU INFORMED

There are multiple ways for residents and visitors to stay informed on winter parking bans:

Sign-up for notifications: The City offers free email and Twitter notifications which advise subscribers when additional parking bans go into effect. To sign up, visit Parking Ban Notifications or contact 311 (open 24 hours every day) by phone at 311 or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca.

Download the City’s Know Your Zone mobile app: The “Know Your Zone” app is available for free download at the Apple App Store and Google Play App Store: knowyourzone.winnipeg.ca/app

Watch, listen to, and read news coverage from local media

WINTER PARKING BAN DETAILS

Winter parking bans ensure the ongoing movement of private and public vehicles, as well as the fast and safe movement of emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire and police).

There are 5 types of winter parking bans: TWO are used annually, with the remaining THREE used periodically as required.

ANNUAL Snow Route Parking Ban – 2 AM to 7 AM on “Snow Route” Streets

This winter, the ban runs from December 1, 2016 to March 1, 2017 on designated streets, referred to as “snow routes”. Snow routes are a TOP PRIORITY for snow clearing.

It’s important that vehicles are not parked on snow routes from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. in order to enable rapid and efficient snow clearing of these critical routes. Vehicles parked in violation of the Annual Snow Route Parking Ban can receive a $100 ticket ($50 if paid early), and may be towed to the towing company’s compound.

For the location of snow routes, see Snow Routes on the City’s website.

ANNUAL Residential Parking Ban – Know Your Zone

A residential parking ban is called when necessary to facilitate the City’s snow clearing response to an extreme snowfall. All residential streets are assigned a “snow zone” identified by a letter of the alphabet.

Zones are plowed in 12-hour shifts, around-the-clock, to enable timely and effective clearing of snow and ice from residential streets. Parking is prohibited on residential streets during the 12-hour period when a zone is scheduled for clearing.

It’s important that you ‘Know your Zone’ and understand the dates/times when you cannot park on residential streets so as to prevent your vehicle from being ticketed/towed. Vehicles will be courtesy towed to a nearby street. As the location of the vehicle will be GPS’d, contact 311 to locate your vehicle. You will be asked to provide your vehicle’s license number and description.

REMINDER: If you are travelling to other areas of Winnipeg when the City is under a residential parking ban, you must KNOW THE ZONE of the street you will be parking on. Otherwise, your car may be ticketed/towed.

Declared, Emergency and Temporary Bans

THINK SAFETY!

The Stay Back, Stay Safe public awareness campaign is aimed at reminding everyone about winter safety best practices because the equipment used in the winter may have blind spots which can make it difficult for them to see vehicles especially when visibility may be hampered due to poor weather conditions.

YOU can be better prepared by following a few simple tips when you encounter snow clearing equipment:

SLOW DOWN AND KEEP WELL BACK from snow clearing equipment.
The recommended distance is a minimum of 15 metres (approximately 3 car lengths) to leave plenty of room for the equipment to work.

STAY BACK FROM SPREADER TRUCKS
When a sand spreader truck is applying salt or sand to the road surface, slow down and stay away from the spreader truck to prevent your vehicle from possibly being hit with salt or sand.

BE VISIBLE and keep headlights on at all times when travelling.
These machines may cause snow clouds that reduce visibility.

BE PREPARED TO STOP
Snow clearing equipment moves at much slower speeds than other vehicles, and operators also stop frequently to assess the areas they are clearing. Freshly ploughed streets can also be slippery until sand/salt trucks have applied the appropriate material.

DO NOT PASS ON THE RIGHT hand side of the equipment.
Often snow and debris are plowed to the right and pose a hazard to motorists.

BE CAUTIOUS when approaching snow clearing equipment from behind.
These machines often make several passes over the same area, which requires travelling in reverse. Vehicles travelling too close are at risk of damage or collision with the machinery.

MAKE EYE CONTACTIf you are unsure of what a piece of equipment is about to do, wait and make eye contact with the operator – they may finish the task, or if safe to do so, they may stop and wave you through before continuing their work.

AVOID DRIVING THROUGH WINDROWSThese machines often make several passes to clear a roadway. If you drive through a windrow, you may risk getting stuck in the snow and ice, possibly damaging your vehicle, or you may scatter the snow, creating a hazard for other motorists.